Three Keys for Colorado's success against Stanford

Colorado (4-2, 1-2 Pac-12) looks for back-to-back wins in conference play as they return to Folsom Field for a night game. Stanford (1-4, 0-3 Pac-12) comes into the game with their only win against Hawaii in the season opener.

The Buffaloes will try to improve to 5-2 on the season and have a chance to get one game closer to becoming bowl eligible. They'll also be looking for their third win at Folsom Field in this Pac-12 After Dark matchup. Deion Sanders doesn't like the late starts and said it was the "Dumbest thing ever" during his weekly radio show appearance.

Kickoff is set for Friday, Oct 13 at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN. Here are three keys for the Buffs against the Cardinal.

DOMINATE THE START OF THE GAME

This has been a "week in and week out" topic for the CU coaches. They've talked about how they want to go out and establish their dominance early. Make it a three and out for their opponent and put points on the board when they have the ball. These past three games CU’s opponents have scored a touchdown on each of their respective opening drives, and it needs to end there.

Stanford is a team that has scored early in a majority of contests. In fact, they have scored points on opening drives of their last three games. A Touchdown vs. Sacramento State, and field goals against Arizona and Oregon. While the Cardinal has been able to score to open up the game, they're not a high scoring offense. Stanford comes to Folsom Field averaging 19.2 points per game, which is 117th in the nation. CU has struggled to stop opponents from scoring as they allow 34.1 points per game (119th, FBS).

Colorado has shown that they're a team that has no issue winning ugly and mostly coming from behind, but they need big stops to begin the game whether that is a three and out or a forced turnover. With Travis Hunter likely back in the lineup, this could change the confidence of the defense having their lockdown cornerback on the field. CU needs to strip the confidence of Stanford and let them know that they will not be able to find early success.

The Buffs are expected to put up points early on Stanford. Only once this season has CU scored on their opening drive and that was a touchdown against TCU in the season opener. This is a good time for that to end. The good thing for Coach Prime and his offense is it doesn’t take long for Shedeur to get going. Colorado scored on their second drive of the game against both ASU and USC, and finally got it right on their third drive of the game against CSU.

Colorado is averaging 33.0 points per game, which is good for 40th in the nation. It should be a field day for them against Stanford's defense that is allowing 34.6 points per game. It's simple to say, but CU will need to score early and often. Most importantly, they need to dominate at all phases. The last time CU scored first against an opponent you must go back to the Nebraska game just over a month ago. It’s time once again for them to play with the lead, but more importantly to play with it the entire game.

RUN GAME NEEDS A STRONG STATEMENT

This really feels like I am beating a dead horse here, but it remains to be CU’s biggest weakness on offense. CU has yet to find a 100-yard rusher on the season and it looks like they are still looking for that lead back on the year. Anthony Hankerson led the way in the win against ASU with 58 yards. In the previous game against USC, he rushed for 74 yards and scored his first touchdown of the season.

It looked to be Dylan Edwards early, but the freshman has not run for more than 50 yards since the Colorado State game and has not scored a touchdown since his breakout game against TCU. Shedeur Sanders leads the team with three rushing TDs on the season. The running back room was supposed to be one of the best positional groups on the team, but they have yet to steal the show in a year where all eyes have been on the Buffs.

CU's offensive line must do a much better job in dominating the line of scrimmage and creating the initial push. Stanford's defense is allowing an average of 139.4 yards per game on the ground. Colorado has to exploit this and make defensive tackles Anthony Franklin, Tobin Phillips, and Jaxson Moi uncomfortable. It's all about opening holes for the CU backs and getting them to the second level. The Buffs need to also take Gaethan Bernadel and Tristan Sinclair out of the equation. If Colorado strives to get to the next level as a team and another way they can do that is by getting to the next level in the run game.

On the other hand, CU’s defense is coming off their best performance stopping the run and now they go against a tough Stanford running game that is averaging 148.8 yards a game (73rd, FBS). But like CU, they have yet to see a player rush for over 100 yards in a game, Stanford is led by senior back Casey Filkins, who has 197 yards on the season. Their next best back is E.J. Smith, son of former NFL great and all-time leading rusher Emmitt Smith. Both Smith and Filkins are averaging 6.2 yards per carry on the season. Add in QB Justin Lamson as a dual-threat. The Syracuse transfer has no issue using his leg and is not afraid to initiate contact as well. Stanford used to be one of the most physical teams running the ball and while they are not what they used to be it is still their strength on offense.

FORCE TURNOVERS AND PLAY NASTY

For the first time this season, CU did not force a turnover in a game in the win over Arizona State. Hunter being back for this game will be a huge jolt on both sides of the ball. The two-way star has the ability to not only make plays for himself, but for his teammates as well. Without Hunter, CU has just the two interceptions coming against USC and Oregon. A small number compared to Hunter being in the lineup with ten turnovers.

Five different players have an interception on the year and CU could add to that total going against a Cardinal team that struggles throwing the ball, averaging 194.8 yards per game with just three touchdowns. Whether it is Ashton Daniels or Lamson at quarterback, both struggle making the right decision. Stanford’s QB’s have combined for three interceptions on the season and as a team they have only lost two fumbles.

The Buffs will have to find ways to create turnovers on Friday night. They continues to show that they can win the battle with Shedeur Sanders only having two picks, even though he has been sacked 31 times. He makes the right decision to either throw the ball away or take the sack. Sanders talks about going 'Brady Mode' on his late-game heroics, but also like Brady he is very cerebral and doesn’t give the ball away. This should be a great matchup overall against a Cardinal defense that doesn’t get a whole lot of pressure on opposing QBs.They have only eight sacks on the year.

CU needs to have a game where Sanders' jersey stays clean. Ball security has been huge for Buffs' receivers and running backs having lost only three fumbles on the year. A great combination for wins. If there is one thing coaches hate it is giving the ball away in the short field and on red zone chances.

Colorado will need to be sure to win the turnover battle as they look for their second win in conference play. Another win give them a chance of getting back into the top 25. Make no doubt about it this is a game CU should win, if they limit their mistakes, but most importantly they need to dominate in all phases to show that they can become a complete team.

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